Texas man sentenced for beheading wife in front of children

Updated on: December 18, 2017 / 12:45 PM
/ CBS/AP

WACO, Texas -- A Central Texas man has been sentenced to 52 years in prison in the decapitation death of his wife. Prosecutors say 24-year-old Davie Dauzat pleaded guilty to murder on Friday in the August 2016 death of his wife, Natasha Dauzat. Authorities say the 21-year-old woman was stabbed dozens of times with a knife at the couple's home in Bellmead, a town just northeast of Waco.

CBS affiliate KWTX reports she died of "sharp force injuries including decapitation," according to an autopsy report.

Police had visited the Dauzats' mobile home after a relative asked for a welfare check. The brother, whom police did not identify, "was concerned about…Davie's well-being and wanted officers to locate and speak with Davie," police said in a press release.

Officers initially found no trouble and left.

A relative called police again about two hours later, expressing concern that Dauzat had killed his wife.

Police returned and found Natasha Dauzat decapitated.

Authorities say the killing occurred while the couple's two young children were in the home. They were found uninjured.

KWTX reports that McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Michael Jarrett said Dauzat agreed to the plea deal because that's what Natasha Dauzat's family requested.

"They didn't want to put the children through a trial and have them relive those memories," Jarrett said.